Hemophilia A & B
What is hemophilia? Hemophilia A, also known as Factor VIII deficiency, ranks as the most commonly diagnosed inherited bleeding disease in cats. Hemophilia B, or Factor IX deficiency, occurs less often in cats. Blood does not clot properly and both forms are X chromosome-linked recessive traits. Male cats will be affected, while females are usually only carriers.
How does my cat get hemophilia? This is an inherited but rare disease. In severe cases, kittens are stillborn or die shortly after birth.
How do I know if my cat has hemophilia? Young kittens, especially males, may experience gum bleeding during teething. Signs first surface around 6 months of age and usually during a routine veterinary exam. The veterinarian may notice that the kitten demonstrates a bleeding tendency when receiving vaccinations or being spayed or neutered. Or your veterinarian may detect bleeding on the gums, eyes and skin bruises. No symptoms may be evident until the cat becomes injured and requires surgery. If hemophilia is suspected, blood samples are taken and examined levels of coagulation factors are measured.
What can I do about hemophilia? Take precautions in your home to reduce the chance of your cat from getting injured. Avoid roughhouse play or overexertion. Do a safety check inside your home and remove hazards such as sharp objects or wobbly shelves. Examine your cat and look for whitish-colored gums, bruises on the belly and dark black stools (indicating bleeding in the stomach or intestines). Your cat will need to undergo regular blood testing by your veterinarian. If necessary, your cat may need a transfusion of fresh blood or plasma.
Is there anything I can do to prevent my cat from getting hemophilia? -- Careful breed selection can reduce the chance of you adopting a kitten with hemophilia. Choose responsible cat breeders who work with veterinary geneticists in creating large, healthy gene pools for their particular cat breeds.
Are there certain breeds that get hemophilia more often? Birman, British Shorthair, Devon Rex, and Siamese are among the breeds impacted by this condition.